buckle 1 of 2

verb

Definition of bucklenext
1
as in to collapse
to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure the flimsy bridge buckled under the weight of the caravan of trucks

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to devote
to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention buckled himself down and finished the assignment in record time

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

buckle

2 of 2

noun

as in loop

Related Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of buckle
Verb
After nearly two terrifying minutes, the jerking stopped, but the first floor of his building had buckled. — Tibisay Zea, Christian Science Monitor, 27 July 2026 All of this, in less nimble hands, would buckle very quickly. — Diana Arterian, Literary Hub, 16 July 2026
Noun
Anderson added a brown leather belt with a gold Miu Miu logo buckle, keeping the styling within the same warm neutral range. — Maggie Clancy, Footwear News, 30 July 2026 Plus, the buckle adds a touch of sleekness that will look dressy paired with trousers or casual with jeans. — Rylee Johnston, PEOPLE, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for buckle
Recent Examples of Synonyms for buckle
  1. collapse
  2. devote
  3. loop
  4. go
  5. apply
  6. fold
  7. give
  8. spiral
Verb
  • Talks between his management and White collapsed in 2011, and the deal only closed when Lorenzo Fertitta stepped in.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But now, the facade was about to collapse, leaving his community grappling with the fallout.
    — Guthrie Scrimgeour, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of collapse
Verb
  • With the accompanying string of tropical nights, state media has devoted unusual attention to the hottest weeks of the year, known locally as sambok, or the dog days of summer.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Reddit has nearly 30 communities devoted specifically to Reta, including country-specific forums, groups for men and women and communities focused on results or trial data.
    — Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of devote
Noun
  • But whereas weaker seasons have relied on this feeding loop to the point of exhaustion, overemphasizing one side or the other, this time, new challenges keep emerging, giving personality quirks new angles through which to be reflected.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Solar prominences One of the most surprising aspects of witnessing a total solar eclipse is a view of prominences during totality, bright pink spikes or loops that appear around the moon's silhouette.
    — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of loop
Verb
  • Second, and perhaps more scientific (as far as these things go) is the fact that Sunfyre had not, in any way, begun to rot.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026
  • And Eno and myself at that time were coming into the studio a little bit earlier than everybody in the morning just to get something going.
    — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of go
Verb
  • This now applies to veterans, homeless individuals, young adults aging out of foster care, parents of 14- to 17-year-olds and those aged 55 to 64.
    — Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 Aug. 2026
  • If the shooter is reckless, like firing a weapon into the air, a state law regarding reckless behavior would apply.
    — Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
Definition of apply
Noun
  • Instead, pack blazers, dress shirts, and anything with structure in a garment bag, which requires fewer folds and lays flat.
    — Katie Jackson, Travel + Leisure, 8 Aug. 2026
  • Fifty folds makes the paper about 113 million km thick, so one more gets you past the sun—51 folds is about 225 million km.
    — Phil Plait, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of fold
Verb
  • The pact gives Saudi Arabia a powerful new layer of protection beyond its longstanding security partnership with the United States amid growing regional doubts over whether Washington can still be relied upon to protect its oil-rich Gulf allies.
    — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
  • McIntosh’s Bryan Boone, the county’s building and zoning administrator, said just shy of 30 feet was the minimum given the flood risk.
    — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
Definition of give
Noun
  • Even though inflation has risen this year, higher energy costs account for most of the rise, and there is little sign of a generalized price spiral.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Stepping away from the app for a week or two, or just not checking first thing in the morning, can break the spiral.
    — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 31 July 2026
Definition of spiral

Browse Nearby Words

bucking up
buckle
buckled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Buckle.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/buckle. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on buckle

Nglish: Translation of buckle for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about buckle

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